The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia announced that holders of 2026 World Cup tickets purchased through the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) platform can now book appointments for visa interviews to obtain entry visas to the United States through the FIFA PASS program.

The embassy posted on its X account an electronic link explaining the visa system and the registration process for FIFA PASS and how to benefit from it.

It indicated that the program enables ticket holders to book interview appointments in Jeddah as a step toward obtaining a travel visa to the United States.

The program requires holding an official 2026 World Cup ticket issued through the FIFA platform, in addition to completing the U.S. visa application form and the related procedures before booking the designated appointment through FIFA PASS.

The program allows ticket holders to apply for the U.S. visa categories B1 for business and B2 for tourism.

جماهير السعودية.

Does a FIFA PASS appointment guarantee visa approval?

Booking an interview appointment through FIFA PASS does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. All visa applicants among ticket holders are subject to security screening and comprehensive vetting, and they must prove their eligibility to obtain the visa.

Citizens of participating countries who purchased 2026 World Cup tickets by April 15 and chose to enroll in the FIFA PASS system through the FIFA website, and who have proven that they are fully eligible for a U.S. visitor visa, will be exempt from paying a visa bond fee.

The FIFA PASS gives FIFA World Cup ticket holders residing in KSA who bought directly from FIFA the chance to schedule a U.S. visa interview in Jeddah for travel to the United States. For more info and application instructions, please see: https://t.co/TxGwkfxA7a https://t.co/vp9RoRZUKC

— U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) May 19, 2026

جماهير السعودية.

What is the FIFA PASS system?

Registration has been opened within the FIFA system for granting priority in scheduling visa appointments, known as FIFA PASS. This is an optional process that allows holders of 2026 World Cup tickets who are traveling to the United States to receive priority in scheduling interview appointments for an entry visa.

This initiative is beneficial for fans in countries where waiting times for visa interview appointments to the United States are longer than in other countries.

It is worth noting that citizens of countries under the Visa Waiver Program through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization ESTA, and or countries where there are currently available interview appointments for U.S. visas, are not required to use FIFA PASS. They can apply directly for a visa or use the Visa Waiver Program through ESTA via the 2026 World Cup portal on the website of the U.S. Department of State.

The FIFA PASS visa was announced in November 2025 during a historic event held at the White House attended by Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Kristi Noem, members of the White House task force, and the President of the International Federation of Association Football FIFA Gianni Infantino.

لاعبو السعودية.

A key milestone in the 2026 World Cup

This announcement represents a key milestone on the road to the 2026 World Cup, as it also confirms the close cooperation between FIFA and the White House task force in organizing an unprecedented global football event.

It is worth noting that the 2026 World Cup will be the first edition in which 48 national teams participate in the history of the world’s most prominent football tournament. It will be held in 16 host cities distributed across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Eleven cities in the United States will host 78 matches, in addition to three cities in Mexico and two cities in Canada.

While more than six million tickets will be available to the public, the launch of the FIFA PASS visa represents an important step in supporting the arrival of international fans and ensuring a smooth travel experience ahead of the world’s largest sporting event.

Saudi Arabia group in the 2026 World Cup

Canada, the United States, and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19 next year.

The Saudi national team will play in Group H alongside Spain, Cape Verde, and Uruguay.

Saudi Arabia will play its three matches in the United States, starting against Uruguay, then Spain, and finally Cape Verde.